{004} Log: White Day [CLOSED]

[lovesickkiller]

Who: Misa Amane + Lazarus, Cesar, Emilia, and Stefan.
What: It's reverse-White Day! A chance to thank those who have helped her out so far.
Where: Various houses in Locke City and Las Vegas
When: March 14
Warnings: None expected

It was a little unorthodox to be giving chocolate instead of receiving it on White Day, but since no one else here seemed to have even heard of the holiday before, Misa figured that she could take some liberties. She really did feel bad for not using Valentine's Day as an opportunity to thank those who had taken her in and helped her out in this strange new city, even though she'd had a pretty decent excuse for laying low during that time. There was a lot that she owed the people here, and if nothing else White Day could function as a delayed Numbered appreciation day this year.

A small package of handmade chocolates in hand, Misa visited the homes of those she felt most indebted to one by one. She had prepared a little box for each of them; nothing fancy, just chocolate fudge squares dusted with cocoa. Maybe store bought would have sufficed, but Misa thought they all deserved a personal touch.

Some addresses were harder to come by than others, but one way or another Misa approached each door with a firm knock, and waited.

Comments

[scarlet_devil]

The visit was entirely unexpected, but needless to say, Emilia lets her in past the main gate. The not long after she reaches the door, the vampire opens it with a look a mild surprise.

"How unexpected... I hope this is purely a friendship thing."

[lovesickkiller]

"Wha- of course! I don't swing that way!" Misa assures her, giggling nervously. She really hadn't expected to find such a lavish house; that already has her thrown off, wondering if perhaps she should have gotten Emilia fancy chocolates instead. She shakes her head as she holds the box out for Emilia to take.

"You've been really helpful to me since I got here, and I just wanted to thank you. In a... friendly way."

[scarlet_devil]

"I'm just teasing," she giggled. "I don't swing that way either." Technically true, she swings both ways and is in denial about it. The vampire accepts the chocolates graciously.

"Ah, did you make these yourself?" They're fine, just not exactly what she's used to.

[lovesickkiller]

"Yes! I hope you like them, they're pretty plain..."

Not exactly befitting someone who Misa has just realized has fairly lavish taste.

"It's kind of a tradition, back home, I make them every year. It would feel wrong to skip out just because I'm in a different country."

[scarlet_devil]

"Hmm, they're plain indeed, but... I think they deserve a taste test, wouldn't you say?"

[lovesickkiller]

Misa tries not to be too offended by Emilia agreeing with her on the assessment. Failing that, she tries not to be outwardly offended.

"I think so! Careful, they can be a little messy."

[scarlet_devil]

"Better than the store bought stuff..." She'll go ahead and try one... But if it isn't very good, she'll not mention that little fact. But then, she doesn't expect it to be bad.

[evowhisperer]

It takes Cesar a long moment to realize that the knock was real, and that it wasn't just some distant misfiring of his ears. Who is it? Who would stop by his house at this time of day without calling ahead?

Not many people, that's who. His thoughts immediately go to L's doppelganger, but he's pretty sure that the man is locked up somewhere by the real L. Maybe he escaped? ... Well. That's an unpleasant thought.

Bracing himself for the worst, he puts down his papers and walks to the door. He's a little rumpled, probably wearing yesterday's shirt and jeans, but his eyes are alert. The first thing he does at the door is attach the little door-block chain--as though that would stop a grown man trying his hardest to slip through.

He cracks open the door, just enough to show a copper-brown eye and a shoulder--and then is eyes widen, and he can't believe who he's seeing. Who told her where he lived? His double? He closes the door enough to undo the chain, opening it a little more.

{Hi.} The sign is mostly universal. He opens and closes his mouth, then looks at his hands, realizing he hadn't though to grab anything to write with on his way over.

[lovesickkiller]

Misa had a cheery greeting all rehearsed, but she hesitates when Cesar opens the door a sliver. He's surprised, obviously, but it doesn't look like a good kind of surprise. Maybe she should have called ahead...

"Hi, Cesar," she says, waving a little awkward. "Sorry for dropping by unannounced, I just... It's a tradition where I'm from to give friends chocolate on Valentine's Day, and I missed that, so I thought White Day would be a good time to make up for it. You've been really nice and helpful to me since I got here, so... I made you this, as a thank you."

She holds up the box of chocolates with a small smile.

[evowhisperer]

.... What?

It's completely the last thing he was expecting, so she'll have to give him a few seconds to really take all of this in. When he does he has the grace to look embarrassed, closing the door and opening it sans chain. This really seems what it looks like: harmless, and even friendly.

{Thank you,} he signs, wincing when he realizes she probably can't understand. He holds his hands up as though telling her to hold her horses, and then just two fingers up about a centimeter apart from each other, trying to convey 'wait here', and maybe 'just a second'. Then he turns and walks back into the apartment, leaving the door slightly open.

It's a dark apartment, but it looks like the sort that might be very pleasant to visit in its heyday. It's been tastefully furnished, and there's places for people to sit. There's a few attractive bottles arranged by an empty chips-and-dip bowl on a side-bar, and a big TV with a comfortable couch. The only light source is the overhead light in the open dining room, and the table itself looks like a library vomited books, printouts, and papers all over it.

Cesar reappears, pushing the front door open a little wider. He has his tablet, now, and is typing.

Thank you very much for the chocolate. I'm sorry I don't have anything to give you back.

[lovesickkiller]

Misa isn't sure how to feel about Cesar's absolute shock over her nice gesture. It doesn't speak to him having a high opinion of her, though she tries not to take it personally. People keep to themselves around here, that's all.

She tilts her head to the side at his hand gesture, not understanding, but the request for her to wait a moment is universal enough for her to get the gist. She waits in the doorway, uncertain if she should follow him in. It seemed like he wanted her to wait out here, but it's awkward just standing outside like this... Misa tries to occupy herself with glancing around the outside of the house, and then peeking inside. It's hard to make much out in the dim lighting, but what she can see of the cluttered table grabs her attention. Was he in the middle of doing something important?

Misa jolts back when Cesar reappears, smiling sheepishly. The lag in communication has her feeling like she came here woefully unprepared.

"It's fine! It's a thank you gift, you don't have to give me anything," she assures him, holding up the box for him to take. It occurs to her that accepting them will mean he can no longer type, and she lowers the box a bit. "Um, I can set them down inside, if you want."

[evowhisperer]

He makes an aborted motion with his hand (as though to take the box), but steps back, gesturing that she enter. The motion would be grand if it weren't so stunted with sheepish restraint. His smile, fortunately is genuinely warm.

He snags a nearby lightswitch that brings a lamp in a corner on, and it transforms the livingroom into a place that was without a doubt meant to be welcoming. Then he makes a motion towards his face, frowns (did that look like what he thought it did?), and then signs something she won't understand. No, this isn't working--he reaches for the tablet.

'Can I get you anything to drink?

[lovesickkiller]

Misa is like a deer in the headlights as Cesar attempts to communicate with her through hand gestures she doesn't understand. It's a relief when he goes for the tablet again.

"That would be great, thank you. Just water is fine," she answers, looking around for somewhere to put the chocolates down. Seeing as the table is very much taken, Misa takes a seat on the couch and sets her box next to the bag of chips.

[dead_black_eyes]

L stares at the security camera, noting Misa standing outside the school. "Get up," he sighs, standing and yanking on the end of the handcuffs' chain. "We're going upstairs. Someone's at the door."

"Oh," breathes the doppelganger, squinting. "I know her. She's really sexy, isn't she?"

"You don't get to talk to me about any of that," L growls, starting up the stairs to answer the door and greet her properly. "You'll keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you."

He opens the door, peering owlishly out at her, keeping his doppelganger behind him and just out of sight. "You know you don't have to knock... if you want to use the teleporter, you can just come in and use it..."

[lovesickkiller]

Misa quietly laughs to herself at how Lazarus peers out at her. Gates, chain-locks, half-opened doors. Honestly, everyone around here is so cagey. They have their reasons of course, but it's just her.

"I know, but I needed you to come to the door. I came here to see you, silly," she says, holding up the wrapped box. "It's kind of late, but it's a thank you for everything you've done for me."

[dead_black_eyes]

Everyone has great reasons to be cagey. In Lazarus' case, some of them are indistinct and vague distant threats. Others are very specific and close enough to be chained to his wrist.

"Is that so? Hm... I see..." he says cautiously, opening the door slightly further and reaching out to take the box. "That's extremely kind and definitely thoughtful of you."

"Is it for me, too?" his doppelganger asks, nudging into sight. Lazarus sets his jaw.

"Somehow, I doubt it."

[lovesickkiller]

"Wha— you!"

Misa blinks, going from bewildered by the sight of two Lazaruses to furious in ten seconds flat. "No they are not for— what is he doing here?!"

With the chocolates out of her hands Misa strides forward and attempts to slap the doppel across the face. She might not know exactly what he's been up to, but Lazarus's vague yet murderous condemnation of the double was enough to convince her he deserved to be punished.

[dead_black_eyes]

Lazarus sets his jaw, but makes no move to keep Misa from slapping his doppelganger. Though the double raises his hands in helpless defense, she's able to strike him rather forcefully square across his pale face.

"He's here because I didn't want him out there any longer," Lazarus replies rigidly in the wake of her blow while his doppelganger rubs his stinging cheek painfully. "As it's my reputation and my relationships he's tarnishing, I feel I have a certain responsibility to prevent him from doing further harm."

He glances down at the box in his hands, pulling at the ribbon. "Oh... chocolates..."

[lovesickkiller]

The doppelganger is a little too pathetic to feel good about beating up, but the slap still feels justified. Misa scowls at him, rubbing her stinging hand.

"I told you you're totally different. Besides, now you have that thuggish tattoo."

Remembering that she came here to thank Lazarus, not insult him, Misa clears her throat and tears her eyes away from the doppelganger. "Yes, chocolates! I meant to bring you some on Valentine's day, sorry I'm late. I really appreciate everything you've done for me."

[stefanged]

Stefan wasn't exactly expecting visitors, but he answers the door pretty quickly. His home's not exactly private, considering it's still for sale (and the sign on the front lawn advertises it as such) - and yet, visitors are usually for Danny, not him.

"Hey, Misa." He furrows his brow, trying to recall anything special about the date. As far as he knows, it's Pi Day, but Misa never struck him as a mathlete. (Though they did get a pie from his kid sister, just for the occasion.) "Do you... uh, do you wanna come in?"

[lovesickkiller]

"Hi! Sure, thank you," Misa says, stepping inside. Though Stefan is obviously just as confused as the others had been by her presence, she appreciates that he actually invites her in.

"I know this is a little out of the blue, but I missed Valentine's Day so I thought now would be a good time to make up for it. You remember me telling you about White Day?"

[stefanged]

Stefan shrugs, turning so that he can usher her into the kitchen. "No problem. Do you prefer tea or coffee?"

The Alesci home's spacious, and almost as if it came straight from a furniture store (because it did - the furniture's rental). As he steps into the kitchen, he heads to his electric tea kettle and grabs a couple of mugs. Out of habit, he's brewing himself a cup, but he clearly doesn't mind making Misa whatever she desires.

"That's right," he murmurs. "It's today too, huh? I knew it was Pi Day, but I guess White Day just never crossed my mind."

[lovesickkiller]

"Tea please."

Misa follows him to the kitchen, glancing around the house. It has a somewhat sterile quality to it, but she supposes that's normal with the 'for sale' sign out front.

"Pi day? Oh, like the number?" she asks, and then chuckles. "Well, I didn't bring pie. Just this."

She holds up a wrapped box for him to take, smiling.

[stefanged]

Out of habit, Stefan grabs some loose-leaf Assam and brews it along with the boiled water from the kettle. The kitchen, along with Stefan and Danny's rooms, are the most "lived-in" at the moment - and that's mostly from constant use. Technically, the place shouldn't have been on the market as long as it had (according to their real estate agent).

Which worked in Stefan's favor, really - as far as his family was concerned, he was still at Princeton. "Yeah, it's kind of a math thing--" He pauses, staring at the wrapped box before he carefully accepts.

"Oh! Thank you." He remembers his manners, even as he unwraps the box and glances at the chocolate inside. "Did you make this yourself? It looks good."

[lovesickkiller]

"Mhm! I hope you like them," Misa says, with a hint of pride. It's nice to see her chocolates being well received, even if they come as a shock. "Just think of it as a late Valentine's Day gift, and a thank you for being so welcoming."